Well, today is the day! Pulse of Radio reports Slipknot is fully back, as the Iowa-based band releases .5: The Gray Chapter, its first new album in six years. The disc caps a very turbulent period for the masked rockers in which they dealt with the death of bassist Paul Gray and the firing of drummer Joey Jordison, both longtime members and songwriters. (I love the tune “The One That Kills The Least”…love it!) Despite it all, singer Corey Taylor told us he’s proud of what the band has accomplished this time out: “The fact that we were able to kind of pull ourselves back up and not only go in and make a really good album, but make an exceptional album, in my opinion, I think it’s a testament to just how talented this band is. It’s a testament to how much passion we have for it. It’s a testament to how much we’re willing to fight to accomplish everything that we want to accomplish. I’m excited for people to hear this, because to me I think it’s one of the best albums we’ve ever made.” Gray died in 2010 from a drug overdose, while Jordison was let go last December, just before Slipknot began recording the new album. Although the identities of their replacements have not been officially revealed, they are believed to be drummer Jay Weinberg and bassist Alessandro “Vman” Venturella. Meanwhile, Taylor defended himself in a new interview with Britain’s XFM Radio from accusations he orchestrated both Jordison’s dismissal from Slipknot and the firing of the band’s guitarist, Jim Root, from the band Taylor and Root founded together, Stone Sour. Taylor, calling himself “one of the most hated dudes right now,” explained, “That’s the burden of being the frontman. (But) I’m not the boss. Trust me. I’m not the boss in either band. It’s very much a committee. I help make decisions, but I don’t make decisions. But that’s the perception.” Slipknot will celebrate the arrival of the new disc this weekend with two headlining performances on Saturday (Oct 25th) and Sunday (Oct 26th) at its own Knotfest in San Bernardino, CA, along with Five Finger Death Punch, Volbeat, Hellyeah, Nothing More, Atreyu, In This Moment, Of Mice & Men and many more. Lou Brutus will be co-hosting! Slipknot will head out on a headlining North American tour immediately following Knotfest, with special guests Korn…..BTW: Lou posted a couple of shots from Q102‘s show in Springfield, MO over the weekend. Check them out on the new hardDriveRadio app! Free on iTunes and Google Play!…..Another album out today from Bush. The LA-based band releases its sixth studio album, Man On The Run. The disc is the second by the band since it reformed four years ago, following 2011’s The Sea Of Memories. Frontman Gavin Rossdale told us the success of that record made him work even harder this time: “It just upped my ante, you know. When I was in the studio, I’m sure I started plenty of songs that I rejected in the studio because I just would come in the next day and be like, ‘You know, that’s just not good enough. Let’s just start that one over.’ And so I was really probably the harshest I’ve ever been with myself on this record, which was a positive thing.”…..I was sorry to hear yesterday that Shimon Moore has left Sick Puppies to pursue “other endeavors.” But the band’s bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin are going to carry on and are looking for a replacement singer/guitarist. They said in a statement, “We are currently in the studio writing material for our upcoming studio album while auditioning new singers . . . Our passion and determination to create and share our music is stronger than ever. We cannot wait for Sick Puppies’ next chapter to unfold and for you all to be part of it.” Last few times I had seen Shim, he seemed unhappy. Dunno why. But hopefully he will realize his dream and the rest of the band can do the same. We wish them all the best!….OOPS. Ivan Moody announced he wants to do a solo record. According to Blabbermouth, Moody said on the Jasta Show podcast, “It’s not done yet. I’m taking my time on it. My plate’s full. (Five Finger Death Punch) is my meat and potatoes, and our fan base, and if I take away from that right now, it’d be bad timing. So I’m just taking it stride by stride. And when it comes out, it’ll come out.” Moody added he has recruited former Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader & Devildriver drummer John Boecklin to play on the record. We also thought there was a chance he would jump up on stage with his former band Motograter, who were added on to the Knotfest line up. But we hear that’s probably not happening either. Oh well…Man, I am reading a lot of negative comments on the new Foo Fighters song. I don’t get why. I think if you didn’t get where this song is coming from when you watch the documentary Sonic Highways, then yeah, you might think this is not a typical Foo Fighters tune. But you should appreciate it for art’s sake at least! Watch the lyric video. And find a friend who has HBO….O M G! The new In This Moment video will knock your eyeballs out of their sockets! Maria Brink and company stopped at nothing for this one and she’s never looked so freakin’ AWESOME! Love love LOVE IT! Watch “Sick Like Me”here. They also shot a video for “Big Bad Wolf” I hear is even HOTTER! Can’t wait to see them when they come through. Heard there might be some sort of album release party in the city! I hope so! Love my homegirl from upstate! Fun fact! We both have houses on the same lake!…Papa Roach are streaming a new song on their Facebook page called “Warriors.” I hope to have Mr Shaddix on the hotLine next week! I am hearing the first single is coming later this week, the title track to F.E.A.R…In the hardDriveRadio studios today in the heart of NYC, YOUNG GUNS! Tonight they’re doing an acoustic event for Moscot eyewear’s Mobileyes campaign, helping to raise money for the homeless who can not afford glasses…...Happy 43rd to Nick Oliveri (ex-Queens of the Stone Age)!